PARISH OF MAWNAN Churches of St Mawnan and St Michael. Nurturing the searching; discipling the faithful GRAPEVINE FEBRUARY 2018

Transcription

1 PARISH OF MAWNAN Churches of St Mawnan and St Michael Nurturing the searching; discipling the faithful GRAPEVINE FEBRUARY

2 February Services Sundays Parish Church, Old Church Road. Feb 4 Feb 11 Feb 18 Feb am Holy Communion 10.30am Holy Baptism 10.30am Sunday s Special all-age worship NO SERVICE SEE ST. MICHAEL S BELOW St Michael s Feb 4 Feb 14 Feb 18 Feb 25 Feb 28 8am Holy Communion 7pm Ash Wednesday - Holy Communion 8am Holy Communion 6pm Holy Communion 10am MU Holy Communion Morning worship every Wednesday at 10am, but NOT Ash Wed. There is an informal time of prayer in the church office from 9am 9.15am every Friday to which all are invited. Home Groups Hebaskva, Sampys Hill meets every Monday from 2pm until 3.30pm, finishing with tea and biscuits. On 5th Feb the group will meet at 11, Castle View Park. 12th Feb. no meeting, and thereafter will be replaced by Lent Course, 2pm 19th Feb in parish office. Further details on page 6, Johanna s article. All are welcome. he Thursday Morning Home Group meets in different houses each week. For more information please contact Libby Reed on Nurturing the searching; discipling the faithful 2

3 Good news! Mawnan PCC welcomed our Archdeacon, The Ven. Bill Stuart-White and our Rural Dean, Canon Geoffrey Bennett to the January 3 rd PCC meeting. Archdeacon Bill outlined the diocesan view for the future ministry of the Parish of Mawnan. The key point of his outline was a change in diocesan intentions since our PCC met in November when the prospect of any appointment of a priest-in-charge seemed unlikely. Archdeacon Bill outlined the financial constraints within the diocese and the deanery with a shortfall of 25% of diocesan income from the Mission and Ministry Fund (formerly known as the parish share) of around 1 million pounds. However, the need of support for Mawnan Church has been recognised as a special case and the deanery finance will be extended to accommodate this commitment. After discussion in the deanery and with Bishop Chris, it has now been resolved that Mawnan should have a half-stipendiary priest-incharge. This process will commence immediately, initially by finding a suitable candidate. This news was welcomed by members of the PCC as a positive step forward. The PCC is fully embracing this opportunity and will carefully ensure that the right candidate for Mawnan is appointed. Two representatives will be appointed at the March PCC meeting, to participate in the selection process. A Parish Profile will also need preparation. Most importantly, the whole process needs the prayers of every one of us. Stuart Annan and Mike Cockeram Churchwardens 3

4 Weds.14 th Feb. An afternoon with Revd. Johanna Clare and the interns who have embarked on Way 2, an internship programme offered by the Diocese of Truro for young women and men who believe that God might be calling them to Christian ministry. This is at 2.30 pm in the Methodist Schoolroom and there will be a bring and buy. Everyone is welcome. Weds. 28 th Feb. MU Communion at am in St. Michael's At our recent AGM we were very pleased to welcome Pauline Smith as a new member of Mawnan MU. We looked back over all that had been achieved during the past year and forward to this year when we shall be electing a new MU Diocesan president together with others who will be taking on varying roles and joining the trustees board. In her report, our treasurer, Susan, reminded us how much we had raised for MU and local projects through our fundraising events. Sylvia, our secretary, gave a very entertaining report on all our meetings and other events and concluded with a poem she found about Mawnan Parish Church entitled Drawing near to God. The last verse is about the notice board by the lych gate: This is Mawnan, where parish snippets and affirming Catholicism flutter in ecumenical breeze by the Mothers Union programme of events Diocese of Truro notices. So our notices are noted even by visiting poets. 4

5 All members were thanked for their invaluable contribution in all manner of ways to ensure that the MU grows and flourishes as we continue to travel on In Mary Sumner s Footsteps - the theme for this year. Thank you also to Sylvia for organizing the photo quiz and well done to both Jill and Bridget who recognised all the famous faces. Something to think about: a quote by Sister Monica Joan from the Christmas episode of Call the Midwife. The hands of the Almighty are so often to be found at the end of our own arms. 5

6 Lent This year Lent begins on 14 February. Lent is a time of preparing ourselves to meet the Risen Christ at Easter, and there are all sorts of ideas and traditions about how we might do this. Perhaps the best known is that Lent should be a time of fasting. Many people abstain from sweets, alcohol, meat, coffee or smoking for the six weeks. Hence the question What are you giving up for Lent?. The need to rid our homes of temptation is the source of the tradition of the pancake feast on the day before Lent Shrove Tuesday. Others join the fast by skipping a meal (often Friday lunch) or eating only frugally. Fasting is helpful as a reminder to pray throughout the day, whenever we are prompted by a sense of missing our favourite treats. Money saved can be given to favourite charity. Behind this period of fasting is the idea that Lent is a time of penitence. It begins with a service on Ash Wednesday (14 February at 7pm in St Michael s) when our foreheads are marked with a cross in ash as a symbol that we are mourning our wrongdoing and failures. But repentance is not all about saying sorry. The root of the word is about turning around, to find new ways of living. So, some people take things up for Lent: daily acts of care and kindness, or a new discipline of prayer, study or simply paying attention. In our all age service on the first Sunday in Lent (18 February at St Mawnan) we will be thinking about Counting our Blessings. We will be sharing leaflets from Christian Aid with different daily challenges for adults and children to help us be thankful for what we have. Of course, Lent is not just for individuals. It is a time of churches and communities growing together in God. This year we are meeting for our Lent course on Monday afternoons at 2.pm in the Parish Office, behind St Michael s, beginning on 19 February. We will be studying Henri Nouwen s beautiful book The Return of the Prodigal Son. A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt's painting of that name, catapulted Henri Nouwen into a long spiritual adventure. His deeply personal meditations can help us to reflect on the meaning of the parable for our own lives. He explores themes of homecoming, affirmation, and reconciliation, offering healing to us who have known loneliness, dejection, jealousy or anger. Divided into five sessions, the course gives us space to consider our reaction to the story: the younger son's leaving and return, the father's restoration of sonship, the elder son's resentment and the father's compassion. The challenge is to learn to love as the Father loves, and to accept that we are loved as the Son is loved. All are welcome to any of these events. Johanna 6

7 Money Matters Figures for A simple version of the parish finances is printed each month in the Grapevine for your information. If you would like more information please contact our Treasurer, Mrs Christine Richards. Please note that these are preliminary figures for the year. Receipts Payments Collections MMF (Parish Share) Planned Giving Insurance Donations Electricity Trading Church Running Costs Interest Repair & Maintenance Grants School Tax Refund Mission & Evangelism Fund Raising Utilities Fees Trading TOTAL TOTAL Further explanation and analysis, plus the charity donation information will follow next month. Please see page 10 (Noticeboard) for information about TRUST 130 CAMPAIGN 7

8 Enjoy this bible-based crossword as a way to while away these long winter evenings. Answers on page 11. ACROSS 1 If you love those who love you, what is that to you? (Luke 6:32) (6) 4 They threw the ship s overboard (Acts 27:19) (6) 7 The first murderer (Genesis 4:8) (4) 8 He was the head Levite in charge of the singing when the ark of God was brought back to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:22) (8) 9 Samson was noted for this (Judges 16:6) (8) 13 Solicit money or food from passers by (Acts 3:2) (3) 16 What William Booth s Christian Mission became in 1878 (9,4) 17 Alliance of Religions and Conservation (1,1,1) 19 I will praise your name for ever and ever. I will praise you (Psalm 145:1 2) (5,3) 8

9 24 Simon had (anag.) (8) 25 Desperate (Deuteronomy 28:48) (4) 26 Elisha witnessed the boy he was seeking to resuscitate do this seven times before opening his eyes (2 Kings 4:35) (6) 27 The belly and thighs of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar s dream were made of this (Daniel 2:32) (6) DOWN 1 Before the crows, you will disown me three times (Matthew 26:75) (4) 2 Relating to the books of the Bible between Acts and Revelation (9) 3 They have the Lord out of the tomb, and we don t know where they have put him! (John 20:2) (5) 4 Belief (5) 5 Take the following fine spices: shekels of fragrant (Exodus 30:23) (4) 6 Do not Jerusalem, but wait for the gift (Acts 1:4) (5) 10 A seer (anag.) (5) 11 Even there your hand will me (Psalm 139:10) (5) 12 The wild variety was part of John the Baptist s diet (Mark 1:6) (5) 13 A non-greek speaker who was looked down on by civilized people (Colossians 3:11) (9) 14 Famous 1950s musical whose characters included members of 16 Across, and Dolls (4) 15 The province from which Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:19) (4) 18 He was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring his hand (Ezekiel 40:3) (3,2) 20 Today, if you hear his, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion (Hebrews 3:15) (5) 21 The Jericho prostitute who hid two Israelite spies on the roof of her house (Hebrews 11:31) (5) 22 And now these three remain: faith, and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13) (4) 23 God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end (Daniel 5:26) (4) 9

10 noticeboard Mawnan Churches Together. Lent Lunches. Friday February 16th- Friday 23rd March Inclusive. Methodist School Room p.m. Everyone welcome Donations in aid of Christian Aid Resource books for preparation of intercessions. If you use these books (which are kept in St Michael s Church) please note that a new list has been put in the box for booking them in and out when borrowed. It is helpful if the sheet could be duly filled in. Many thanks for your help with this. TRUST 130 CAMPAIGN Our insurance company Ecclesiastical Insurance has an initiative to promote more business to the mutual benefit of both the company and to the parishes they insure, this campaign lasts one year. We receive 130 for each new customer signed up, we have already received our first 130 commission and hopefully more will follow. Details may be obtained from the Churchwardens or Treasurer. 10

11 Christine Richards has three Epsom colour cartridges: T1283, T1282, T1284 which need a new home, free to anyone who is interested. Tel Due to this month s very early deadline, the Grapevine may not be as full or newsy as we would like it to be!! Please bear with us as we cope with holidays/sickness/unforeseen circumstances to bring our parishioners the basic church information this month. Please remember that items for the Grapevine are always welcome and will be included if at all possible and suitable. Please could you send any contributions for the March Grape-vine to the Editor by Monday 19th February. Many thanks. Ann Benney, Lower Penpol Farm, Budock Vean, Mawnan Smith TR11 5LJ ann.benney@btinternet.com Crossword Answers ACROSS: 1, Credit. 4, Tackle. 7, Cain. 8, Kenaniah. 9, Strength. 13, Beg. 16, Salvation Army. 17, ARC. 19, Every day. 24, Admonish. 25, Dire. 26, Sneeze. 27, Bronze. DOWN: 1, Cock. 2, Epistolic. 3, Taken. 4, Tenet. 5, Cane. 6, Leave. 10, Erase. 11, Guide. 12, Honey. 13, Barbarian. 14, Guys. 15, Asia. 18, Rod in. 20, Voice. 21, Rahab. 22, Hope. 23, Mene. 11

12 IN OUR PRAYERS Let us pray for Amelia Seaber Henessey Lilia Grace Tregenza May who were baptised in our church in December and for James Albert Spiers who was called to eternal rest in January For further details about our Parish please see our notice boards at the Parish Church and at St. Michael s Church, Grove Hill, Mawnan Smith. Also our website: Our Churchwardens are: Mr Mike Cockeram Mr Stuart Annan For information about Baptisms, Weddings etc. please contact Parish Office Carwinion Road Mawnan Smith Cornwall TR11 5JG stmawnan@gmail.com (Rev Johanna Clare) 12